Gin Tonic is a popular cocktail that you may well have tried before. But do you have any understanding of its base wine ‘Gin’? Gin has a diverse range of styles, showing intense yet refreshing aromas of botanicals and herbs. It can be used in cocktails or be enjoyed neat. Let’s get to know more famous Gin brands including Tanqueray, Monkey 47 and Hendrick’s!
What is Gin?
Gin is neutral distilled spirits made from wheat, barley or other natural ingredients. It is characterized by being predominantly flavoured by juniper berries and other botanicals, resulting in its floral and herbal aromas. Gin is one of the most popular spirits for the creation of cocktails such as Gin Tonic.
Gin Brands to Try:
1. Tanqueray
Scottish Gin Brand Tanqueray’s recipe has been using the same combination of Tanqueray botanicals discovered by Charles Tanqueray since 1830. Tanqueray is made with four botanicals including juniper, coriander, angelica and liquorice which is a blend of the purest triple-distilled spirit. It is a favourite with celebrities, which is even said has been American Legend singer Frank Sinatra’s preferred gin. It even has been ranked best-selling spirit in a pool by “The World’s 50 Best Bars” in 2016.
2. Brighton
Brighton Gin is a certified 100% vegan British craft Gin. It is distilled with juniper, fresh orange, lime peel, locally-grown coriander seed and milk thistle. Hand-made by the seaside, the final result is super smooth, gentle and approachable. Brighton Gin has been acknowledged in the UK and International wine awards including the 2020 World Gin Awards Silver winner. If you would like to have a try, you may follow the official guideline －drinking it with ice and a twist of orange!
3. Monkey 47
4. Kinobi Kyoto
As the first Gin distillery in Japan, Ki No Bi’s Gins are distilled, blended and bottled in Kyoto. Ki No Bi Gin is created with 11 Japanese botanicals such as gyokuro tea from the Uji region, hinoki wood chips (Japanese cypress), yellow yuzu from the north of Kyoto Prefecture, green sanshō (Japanese peppercorn) berries and bamboo. They use rice spirit as the base wine and the Gin is blended with famous Fushimi pure groundwater, which provided a distinct Japanese style.
5. Hendrick’s
Scottish Gin Hendrick’s is created from 11 fine botanicals including juniper berries, coriander seeds and orange peel. Its unique flavour comes from Bulgarian rose and cucumber. Distilled four times, Hendrick’s Gin provides a refreshing taste and floral aroma. It is unimpeachably smooth which is suitable to be enjoyed neat!
6. Bombay Sapphire
7. The Botanist Islay
